Did you notice God standing on a rock in today’s reading from Exodus? Moses did because he struck the correct rock and drew water. The people did not. Indeed, the psalm tells us that it was on this day at Massah and Meribah that the hearts of the children of Israel were hardened. For the moment, it is worth remembering that Israel was a name given to Jacob by God.

Skipping forward to the first century, in the brilliant noon sunshine, Jesus sat by the well that supplied Sychar’s water, the same well that had watered Jacob and his children. Jesus wanted to be found. It was here that he encountered another group of Jacob’s children. The first person to find him was a woman going about her daily chores. During their conversation, she grew in her knowledge of God and recognised Jesus as the Messiah. She had drawn water from the spring of eternal life.

The relationship to Jacob/Israel acts as a thread that unites the people from the readings. When seen as connected, they become like generations of one family who encounter different experiences on life’s journey.

Their experiences are things that we all go through. There are times when life is so overwhelming it can be impossible to see that God is standing right in front of us! At other times, we may be like Moses and see God when it seems that nobody else can.

During good experiences, I find it easy to recognise God. It is more difficult during painful or traumatic times. Mainly because that’s when I don’t have the capacity to look. However, I have learned to trust that God is there. Perhaps this is a result of drinking the water that Jesus offers.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.